"The Rays cut ties with four players selected in this year's draft, three of who played for short-season Hudson Valley: Andy Bass (18th round), Brooks Belter (25th), Jonathan Koscso (29th) and Ryan Turner (32nd)."

Wow- 14's a lot to let go at one time. Newly drafted players only given 1 short season? Ouch. Kocsco did a great job. I wonder if it was a voluntary release. 8 of those players played for Hudson Valley this past season. Looks like we, again, will not be sending many guys onto the Bowling Green roster. The best of luck to all these players.

Kocsco is the biggest shock to me on that list. He batted .333 on the year in HV. I know he got moved up midway but dang thats tough. I agree with ANON 9:57 it has to be a voluntary release. I think he went to school to be a doctor, so maybe he decided thats what he wanted to do. That was a big shocker. Unfortunately, I still think there are a couple of more guys that were in HV this year that are going to get released :(

Surprise to see Kocsco and Winder not get an invite and also Jannis, Laufer, Belter and Bass...good arms but when you draft as many as TB casualties happen. I would hope these boys do not give up and they tryout with other organizations and come back and kick Tampa Bay in the Balls. Baseball is a very tough sport and the guys who make it are few and far between...

Matt is usually accurate about releases, so I assume these are correct and each player has been "released" from any further obligation. Sometimes a player wants out of their contract (just decides he doesn't want to play baseball anymore for whatever reason) but the team wants to retain their rights in case they change their mind. There was a case like this a couple years ago in the Rays org. Those players are not released but put on the "voluntary retired" list or something similar. That way if they come back the Rays still retain their rights. For these 14 they are free to sign with another org.

So as to Koscso, he may have wanted out on his own (makes sense with the other career ops he has), but if they gave him his outright release then apparently the feeling was mutual. Also, since he was 29th round and his bonus was miniscule, they are more likely to grant release than someone they gave a $x00k bonus. Don't want higher bonus guys keeping the $ and going to another org.

It's my understanding that all players have agents (Dirk Hayhurst mentioned in his book how minor leaguers do). To catch on with another team the agent would probably talk to the scouts from other teams who saw the player in college or in the minors. Or that scout or other front office player would obviously see the player was released and initiate it him or herself.

As far as getting signed by another org, anon 12:43 is correct. The agents contact the other orgs and usually the players call the scouts who saw them in highschool/college. If they can afford to mostly pay their own way, then indy ball is a possibility. For lower-level guys it's the Can-Am or Frontier leagues, for higher-level the American Assoc, Atlantic Lg, or North American Lg.

Wow. 1 year and done. Thats tough for any kid. I can think of some guys that I thought should have gone last year, but got another year to prove themselves. Just doesn't make a lot of sense. I guess they just don't see any chance of those boys making it. Seems hard to believe though since they did draft them.

Getting drafted by an organization like the Rays with so many picks this year is difficult I figured alot would be released! However, other organizations would welcome some of these youngmen! It only takes one bad outting when the right guy is in town and you become a suspect and not a prospect. Kocsco led the HV Renegades in hitting. Winder was the best player for the first 4 weeks along with Malm and Jannis was one of the better pitchers. Bass is wild but has ability as does Laufer, Belter etc etc...when you draft so many in the top rounds and pay the $$$$ many others will be cut adrift. If it is your dream then make some phone calls.

The Rays scouting and development staff just showed how incompetant they are with the latest releases. As in baseball hitting, they think they are successful if they are correct 3 out of 10 times. You only need one thing to succeed in baseball - no brains. By the way, that goes right to the top! And I mean you, Mitch Lukevics!

I'm beginning to think TB could care less about college draft picks. High school kids usually get the most money and therefore seem to get many more chances to try to prove themselves. Look at Princeton last season- how many of those high picks actually played well? Not too many. Are they still employed by TB? (some examples-O'Connor, Sale.) The answer is yes. Ryan Terry(Prin) and John Koscso-(Prin and HV) were rookie college kids---and they were released. Look at HV- The cuts were mainly college kids- Laufer, Bass, Jannis, Biagini, Winder, Koscso, Belter, with 4 of them being rookies. It's a shame a lot of these kids were even drafted by TB. I feel sorry for these kids-- TB just had too many picks in 2011. If they hadn't been taken in the draft by TB, perhaps someone else would have drafted them. Now, their careers are probaby over.

If a player had the possiblity of being taken by other teams during the draft and now is free to sign with any team, I fail to see how that is bad for the recently-drafted kids.

Drafting HS players means the organization has 3-4 years to evaluate and develop them, college players have to make a much more immediate impact. No surprise that the 22-23 year olds are let go and 19-20 year olds kept.

I agree. I mean that is how it works in baseball. High School kids have longer to prove themselves, because some of them aren't as developed as others. I hate it for any player that was cut, but thats the game. Hopefully these guys can have a successful work career.

Interesting to read the comments. MINE happens to be one of the 23 year old players released and HE HAS A FOUR YEAR degree from one of the TOP COLLEGES in the country to fall back on. WAS drafted out of high school and again while in college before he broke his hand his senior season. God opened the door for him to go with RAYS as FREE AGENT. God will open another door for him. Since his dad is deceased, can not tell you how grateful I am as a parent to the RAYS for even giving my son this opportunity. Thanks to coaches, front office, and probably mostly to the GREAT FANS. BECAUSE of this opportunity he is already working on his Masters through a special program baseball has through Univ. of Phoenix. VERY PROUD of HIM!!! GOOD luck to all the young men released and praying you get a chance to play or stay in baseball if that is what you desire. My husband spent 19 years in minors as player and manager including playing out of country and he went on to become a Major League Hitting Coach. If you love the game, NEVER GIVE UP! SUN COMES up tomorrow. THANKS to the RAYS ORGANIZATION!!!!!

To the comment directly above. You have every reason in the world to be proud of your son :) I am very happy another opportunity has arised for him. I wish nothing but the best for all these players. I hope if they want to continue to play the game they love that the opportunity will arise. If not I hope they are able to more on and be successful in whatever they do. I know a young man that plays for the rays (By young I mean 23 as well so by the rays standard not that young) He is still currently playing, but I know one day that will be over and I do thank God that he has given this young man this opportunity. We all have to walk away from the game some day, some sooner than others. Whats is important though is that they play it the best they can and enjoy it while they still have to opportunity. Again to the comment above congrats to you and your son :) I wish you all nothing but the best. I hope he can continue to be involved with baseball for years and years to come. I am sure his father is so proud of the man he is becoming.

To the comment directly above: Thank you so much for your kind words. God sure has blessed our family by placing so many wonderful people in our lives to be there for my son and me as well. Hoping he can stay in baseball because he has such a passion for the game like his dad. Thank you so much! YOU are so right, his dad would be so proud of him just like I am. Wish you the best also..